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The death toll from the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Sarangani on June 8 has risen to 68, while more than 1.4 million people have been affected across Mindanao, according to the latest government data released by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) as of 6 a.m. on June 17.
Data showed that Region XII accounted for most of the fatalities, with 57 deaths — 33 in Sarangani and 24 in South Cotabato.
Region XI recorded 11 deaths, including 10 in Davao Occidental and one in Davao del Sur, according to the OCD.
Authorities also reported 33 missing persons: 16 in Davao Occidental, 15 in Sarangani, and two in South Cotabato.
Meanwhile, the number of injured climbed to 1,339, with South Cotabato recording the highest number at 948.
The earthquake affected a total of 339,254 families, or 1,417,078 individuals, across Regions XI and XII and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
At least 4,464 families, equivalent to 19,791 individuals, remain sheltered in 45 evacuation centers.
The disaster also caused extensive damage to homes and infrastructure. Authorities reported that 13,652 houses were totally damaged, while 60,281 sustained partial damage.
A total of 774 infrastructure facilities were damaged, with estimated losses reaching P1.29 billion.
Damage to agriculture was estimated at P29.8 million, affecting farming areas in Davao del Norte and Davao del Sur.
Fourteen municipalities in Davao Occidental, Sarangani, and South Cotabato remain under a state of calamity.
The government said assistance extended to affected families has reached P160.9 million, while local government units have received an additional P8.1 million in aid.—MCG, GMA News
